Forces Engage Threatening Protestor

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2010 - An International Security Assistance Force servicemember shot and killed a man who aimed an assault rifle at servicemembers in a guard tower during a protest at Forward Operating Base Mirwais in the Chorah district of Afghanistan's Uruzgan province today, military officials reported.

ISAF officials said in a written statement that the servicemember shot the man in accordance with the rules of engagement, and that protesters pulled the man away before ISAF servicemembers were able to identify his status.

The protest is reported to have been held in response to an alleged Quran burning inside the base yesterday, officials said, adding that the suspected burning was a routine burn-pit session in which ISAF documents are destroyed.

In other news from Afghanistan, coalition forces conducted a precision air strike and a follow-on ground operation against the Taliban district commander for the Aliabad district of Kunduz province Wednesday, killing eight insurgents. The commander was actively planning attacks during the parliamentary elections scheduled Sept. 18, officials said.

Coalition forces tracked the targeted man to an open field in the remote Chahar Darah district, where he was meeting with several armed insurgents. After careful planning to ensure no civilians were present, coalition aircraft conducted a precision air strike followed by direct fire engagements against the group. A follow-on ground force killed two insurgents still at the scene who fired at them.

An inspection of the area confirmed six insurgents were killed in the air engagements. The ground force also found and destroyed a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with multiple rounds, along with multiple weapons, magazines and grenades.

Also in Kunduz province's Chahar Darah district, Afghan and coalition forces detained two suspected insurgents last night in their continued pursuit of an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan commander operating there. The commander is well integrated with Taliban senior leadership in Kunduz and maintains contact with Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leadership in Pakistan, officials said.

Intelligence information led Afghan and coalition forces to a compound in Kunduz City in search for the commander. The security force did not fire their weapons.

Coalition forces conducted a precision air strike in Paktika province yesterday, killing Abdul Rahman, a key Taliban cell leader active in the province. Rahman was responsible for building bombs and facilitating the movement of weapons, ammunition and personnel in Ghazni and Paktika provinces.

Acting on intelligence tips, coalition forces tracked Rahman traveling outside the Sharan district. After careful planning to ensure no civilians were present, coalition aircraft conducted a precision air strike against him. Although a ground force was unable to conduct an immediate assessment of the engagement area, it is believed the strike killed the targeted individual and two of his associates, officials said. Initial reporting indicates no civilians were killed or wounded in the strike.

Also in Paktika province yesterday, Afghan and coalition security forces detained three insurgents, including a Taliban subcommander and a Taliban facilitator active in the province.

The commander leads device roadside-bomb network and supplies munitions and bomb components to his associates. The facilitator conducted surveillance in preparation for Taliban operations and reported information to several active Taliban cells.

Intelligence tips led the security force to a compound in the Sharan district. They identified and detained the commander, along with the facilitator and one of their associates after initial questioning of residents at the scene. The security force did not fire their weapons.

Overnight in Khost province's Bak district, Afghan and coalition security forces detained four suspected insurgents while in pursuit of a Haqqani terrorist network facilitator who coordinates and conducts attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and provides intelligence to Haqqani senior leadership in Pakistan. The security force also found an automatic weapon and instructions for making bombs at the scene, and did not fire their weapons.

In Zabul province's Shah Joy district yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents while in pursuit of a Taliban bomb-attack facilitator operating in the Qalat district who reportedly is involved in obtaining components for remote-controlled roadside bombs. The security force found an automatic weapon and a grenade at the scene, and did not fire their weapons.

Afghan and coalition security forces detained two insurgents in Kandahar province yesterday, including a Taliban commander operating in Kandahar City who is responsible for attacks against Afghan civilians and Afghan and coalition forces, as well as the movement of weapons and bomb components into the city.

Based on intelligence reports, the security force targeted a compound outside Kandahar City, where they identified and detained the commander, along with one of his associates. The security force did not fire their weapons.

In Logar province yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces detained several insurgents, including a Taliban subcommander responsible for attacks in the Baraki Barak, Charkh and Pul-e Alam districts. The commander also maintained close ties with facilitators and commanders conducting attacks in Kabul.

Based on intelligence tips, the combined security force targeted a compound in the Baraki Barak district to search for the commander and found him hiding in a floor oven.

The security force detained the commander and three of his associates and found documents referencing Taliban members at the scene. The assault force did not fire their weapons.

In Helmand province overnight, Afghan and coalition security forces detained two suspected insurgents while in pursuit of a senior Taliban facilitator for insurgents operating in the Musa Qalah area.

The facilitator is involved in the smuggling, facilitation and movement of weapons and bombs, and he also finances Taliban commanders and uses his network to acquire weapons and munitions for them. The security force did not fire their weapons.

A partnered Afghan and coalition operation resulted in the detention of a suspected bomb-attack facilitator in Farah province yesterday.

The combined force surrounded the village of Dehesk near Farah city, based on intelligence reports of the presence of an insurgent cell. The force questioned and checked the identities of several civilians and detained the suspected facilitator.

The combined force found more than 60 feet of detonation cord, artillery launch charges, 10 rocket canisters, about 25 pounds of refined opium and several knives in the suspect's home. He was handed over to Afghan security forces for processing. The combined force also confiscated a car owned by a local Taliban commander.

Officials said Afghan and coalition forces protected women and children present during their searches in these operations.